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Bystanders share their horror after child was hit by a police car

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A witness who arrived at the scene after the collision said she heard "screaming" after the 11-year-old was hit by a police car on May 25.

By Liam Doyle, News Reporter

18:06, Fri, May 26, 2023 | UPDATED: 21:18, Fri, May 26, 2023

'People were screaming' Bystanders' horror in wake of Lancaster police horror crash (Image: GETTY - STOCK)

Lancaster residents have spoken of their horror as they witnessed a police car hit an 11-year-old boy in a collision that left the youngster in critical condition. Several people were at the scene in Owen Road as the car hit the boy at around 8.30pm on Thursday, May 25, and watched as police rushed to the junction with Torrisholme Road. They have spoken of "screaming" they heard as people and cars crowded around the area as they waited a "long time" for ambulances to whisk the child to hospital.

Speaking to Lancashire Live, one unnamed bystander told how the scene exploded with activity following the incident.

She said that screaming people lined the streets, with "crowds everywhere" and "15 police cars lined up".

The woman - who arrived not long after the crash on her bike - said every police car had its sirens blaring.

While there was a clear sense of emergency, she added that it "seemed to take such a long time" for an ambulance to arrive.

Owen Road, where the incident took place (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

She said she saw the boy curled up in the recovery position and that the police car was nearby "with the front end smashed up".

A man who asked not to be named said what happened was "awful" and that the youngster involved was "just a little boy".

He added: "Everyone is hoping and praying he gets better."

The boy, who was from the local area, was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary with critical injuries following the collision on Thursday.

He was transferred to child specialists at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool earlier today, where he remains in critical condition.

Lancashire Police said in a statement that officers were attending an emergency call as the collision occurred on Thursday.

Chief Superintendent Karen Edwards, the service's west division senior commander, said the car involved was a marked police Peugeot 308 hatchback.

Speaking to reporters earlier today, she said the family has support from specialist police officers, adding: "Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time."

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The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has since confirmed that it will investigate the service after officials referred the service.

IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said that following the "incredibly tragic incident", the organisation would "thoroughly examine the circumstances prior to the collision, including whether appropriate policies and procedures were followed".

As the investigation continues, Chief Supt Edwards said she had placed "extra reassurance patrols" in the crash area and urged people with "information or concerns" to approach them.

She also asked people with information, CCTV or dashcam footage that could assist the investigation to contact the police non-emergency number on 101.

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